Legacy adds walk-in counseling for holidays

“The holidays can be stressful for a lot of gay people,” Grove said. “They might not get the acceptance at home that they have in Oak Lawn.”

She said that dealing with a chronic illness can compound the stress.

“We would like to be responsive,” she said.

Legacy offers counseling services to people who are HIV positive. Through the holidays, the Center is accepting new clients without an appointment Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s best to call first so we know you’re on your way,” Grove said. But walk-ins are accepted without even a phone call. She said a number of people have already taken advantage of the offer and most have been taken with little wait time.

Grove said that 90 percent of Legacy’s clients pay nothing. She said that in addition to all insurance, the agency takes Medicare, Medicaid and Northstar, the behavioral health arm of Medicaid. In addition, the agency receives grants and Ryan White to cover the cost of counseling for people who are HIV positive and are not covered by other plans and earn less than $32,000 a year.

Fundraising events also allow Legacy to serve anyone who needs its care.

“No one is ever turned away,” Grove said.

The annual Christmas Stocking Auction at the Round-Up Saloon on Sunday netted the counseling center $20,000.

“That’s the highest total in eight years,” Grove said. “I just can’t thank the Oak Lawn merchants enough. They never seem to get giving fatigue.”

On Jan. 3, Leslie Jordan returns to the Weisfeld Center in Dallas for Leslie Jordan’s Church Revival with Sister Helen Holy (Paul Williams) also to benefit Legacy. Grove said the $100 tickets include a traditional covered dish dinner — King Ranch chicken, tuna casserole with corn flakes — in the old church basement. Jordan will be mingling with guests through the dinner.

Jordan is best known for his role as Karen Walker’s nemesis Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace. Currently he is appearing on Desperate Housewives and plays a newspaper editor in the film The Help.